Muğla suffocates under hazy skies, polluted air
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Doğan News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 31, 2008 00:00
MUĞLA - Despite being one of the most important cities in Turkey, thanks to its many popular tourism centers, Muğla is far from its grace these days. The Aegean city is suffering from heavy pollution and its skies are covered with haze, so that its residents hesitate to go out during the nights
Hazy air is clouding the skies over a city with one of Europe’s longest coastlines. The dangerous pollution in Muğla, a province in southwest Turkey, can be blamed on authorities who seek votes in the coming elections, according to a political leader.
Highlighting that the air pollution, which can decrease visibility to 20 meters, basically derives from the low quality coal distributed free of charge, Bilge Contepe, chairman of Turkey Greens Party, said, "The residents in Muğla hesitate to go out during the nights because of the air pollution. Some turn Muğla, a holiday paradise of Turkey, into hell because of the election investments."
The air pollution in Muğla, previously regarded as one of the luckiest cities in terms of pollution, has reached dangerous levels as of December. Especially during the night when people light their stoves, things turn into a nightmare in the city. While many residents and environmentalists protest against this case, Bilge Contepe said they would initiate a campaign called "No to Air Pollution In Return For Votes, Take Back Your Coal and Give Back Our Health" with the participation of 5,000 people.
"We will both take this case to court and start extensive campaigns and demonstrations in order for this bad picture to be corrected. Those people threaten our health at the expense of gaining votes in the election. Many people, from the mayors and governors to the health authorities, are responsible for the air pollution. We get more than 300 calls every day to complain of this case," Contepe said.
"I have asthma and can’t go out"
"I have been living in Muğla for 3 years. I have asthma and am afraid to go out. You generally see young people in the streets. Elderly people with respiration problems have not been able to go outside for weeks. As the elections approach, the air pollution is increasing in the city. They poison the city just to gain more votes," said Deniz Ayhan, a student at Muğla University.
"Such low quality charcoal is not allowed for burning in any other part of the world. Those who say we are entering the EU do not hesitate to play with the health of the residents," said Akın Avşar, a chemical engineer, adding that the Muğla Municipality ignored his request to put the pollution measurement instruments in a visible place in the city."
Muğla Social Help and Solidarity Foundation distributed a written notification saying that the air pollution is not a result of the coal delivered to families in financial difficulty.
It said 475 tons of coal were given to 678 families between June and September 2008. Samples of the coal went through careful analysis in laboratory conditions and the results showed that the coal was acceptable according to environmental legislation. Following this notification, the Muğla governorship banned the authorities from making any explanation to the press.
Highlighting that the air pollution, which can decrease visibility to 20 meters, basically derives from the low quality coal distributed free of charge, Bilge Contepe, chairman of Turkey Greens Party, said, "The residents in Muğla hesitate to go out during the nights because of the air pollution. Some turn Muğla, a holiday paradise of Turkey, into hell because of the election investments."
The air pollution in Muğla, previously regarded as one of the luckiest cities in terms of pollution, has reached dangerous levels as of December. Especially during the night when people light their stoves, things turn into a nightmare in the city. While many residents and environmentalists protest against this case, Bilge Contepe said they would initiate a campaign called "No to Air Pollution In Return For Votes, Take Back Your Coal and Give Back Our Health" with the participation of 5,000 people.
"We will both take this case to court and start extensive campaigns and demonstrations in order for this bad picture to be corrected. Those people threaten our health at the expense of gaining votes in the election. Many people, from the mayors and governors to the health authorities, are responsible for the air pollution. We get more than 300 calls every day to complain of this case," Contepe said.
"I have asthma and can’t go out"
"I have been living in Muğla for 3 years. I have asthma and am afraid to go out. You generally see young people in the streets. Elderly people with respiration problems have not been able to go outside for weeks. As the elections approach, the air pollution is increasing in the city. They poison the city just to gain more votes," said Deniz Ayhan, a student at Muğla University.
"Such low quality charcoal is not allowed for burning in any other part of the world. Those who say we are entering the EU do not hesitate to play with the health of the residents," said Akın Avşar, a chemical engineer, adding that the Muğla Municipality ignored his request to put the pollution measurement instruments in a visible place in the city."
Muğla Social Help and Solidarity Foundation distributed a written notification saying that the air pollution is not a result of the coal delivered to families in financial difficulty.
It said 475 tons of coal were given to 678 families between June and September 2008. Samples of the coal went through careful analysis in laboratory conditions and the results showed that the coal was acceptable according to environmental legislation. Following this notification, the Muğla governorship banned the authorities from making any explanation to the press.